Athletics News Page 399 - MLB

AL West Preview: Oakland Athletics Inside the Rangers previews each of the Texas Rangers’ American League West rivals going into Opening Day.

MARCH 27, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Jeurys Familia - Makes A's debut Sunday Familia allowed an unearned run on two hits over one inning in the Athletics' 9-5 Bay Bridge Series exhibition loss to the Giants on Sunday. He struck out two.

Impact The veteran reliever just signed Saturday and was put right to work, with Familia throwing 22 pitches overall in his Athletics debut. The 33-year-old should be in line for a solid workload to open the regular season considering his experience, but it's unlikely he logs any save chances unless multiple injuries strike the high-leverage options in front of him.

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Carlos Pérez - Homers in Sunday's loss Perez went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in the Athletics' 9-5 Bay Bridge Series exhibition loss to the Giants on Sunday.

Impact Perez was an in-game replacement at catcher following Shea Langeliers' time behind the dish. The 32-year-old is slated to serve as early-season depth behind Langeliers while Manny Pina (wrist) remains sidelined, and although he just signed last Sunday, he's gone 3-for-8 with Sunday's homer and three RBI across his first four games.

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ken Waldichuk - Rough outing in final spring start Waldichuk, who's slated to open the regular season in the starting rotation, allowed five earned runs on four hits, four walks and a wild pitch across 3.1 innings in a Bay Bridge S...

Impact Waldichuk is heading into the regular season with a worrisome spring body of work in tow, as the left-hander allowed multiple earned runs in each spring appearance and gave up four home runs across 13.2 innings. Nevertheless, with Paul Blackburn (finger) and Drew Rucinski (hamstring) both unavailable for Opening Day, Waldichuk will still have a chance to show if he can turn his fortunes around early in the campaign.

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Paul Blackburn - Throwing off mound Monday Blackburn (finger) is slated to throw off a mound Monday after his flat-ground session Thursday went well, the team's official site reports.

Impact Manager Mark Kotsay noted that Blackburn was able to spin some curveballs during the flat-ground session without issue. Consequently, Monday's activity is considered the next step in the natural progression of his recovery. If the right-hander emerges from Monday's session without setbacks, a firmer regular-season debut date could come into focus.

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jace Peterson - Plays in two games since HBP Peterson played at third base in both Friday's and Sunday's Cactus League games against the White Sox and Giants, respectively, after being hit by a pitch Wednesday.

Impact Peterson went a combined 2-for-5 in that pair of exhibitions, and although he didn't play a full nine innings in either, it's clear he's unaffected from having been plunked. The veteran appears set to open the season as the everyday third baseman.

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Oakland to use Díaz-Allen platoon at shortstop OAKLAND -- Following a disappointing offensive output last season, the A’s made it a priority to add some proven veteran hitters. Oakland ha...

MARCH 27, 2023 • MLB.COM

Anthony Volpe wins Yankees' opening day shortstop job

Anthony Volpe is getting an opportunity to live a lifelong dream

MARCH 27, 2023 • Associated Press

Kirby Snead - Lands on 60-day IL Snead (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day injured list Sunday.

Impact Snead was shut down from throwing in early March due to a left shoulder strain, and he'll be sidelined for at least the first two months of the season. The 28-year-old received his first substantial run in the big leagues last year and had a 5.84 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 35:22 K:BB over 44.2 innings.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Austin Pruitt - Opening season in minors Pruitt will report to Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the 2023 season, Ben Ross of MLB.com reports.

Impact Pruitt re-signed with Oakland in January on a minor-league deal that included an invitation to MLB spring training, but he never made a serious push for a spot on the Opening Day roster after making just four relief appearances in Cactus League play before experiencing back tightness following his most recent outing March 18. The right-hander checked out fine following a bullpen session Saturday, so he at least looks like he'll be ready to go when Las Vegas begins its season March 31.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Drew Rucinski - IL stint incoming Oakland manager Mark Kotsay said Sunday that Rucinski (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Rucinski's hamstring tightened up late during spring training and won't be available for the A's to open the campaign. The 34-year-old was recently throwing on flat ground and will need to resume mound work before there's any firm timetable for his return.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Aledmys Díaz - Will start at short versus righties Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Sunday that Diaz will likely start at shortstop against right-handed pitching to begin the season, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle r...

Impact Meanwhile, Nick Allen is expected to enter the lineup at shortstop versus southpaws, though Diaz's right-handedness and defensive versatility should be enough for him to see his fair share of playing time against lefties as well. Signed to a two-year, $14.5 million contract this winter, Diaz looks as though he'll be in line for a near-everyday role, given that he's one of the few Oakland hitters who has had a modicum of success at the highest level. Allen is the better defensive option at shortstop, but Diaz's clearer path to regular playing time and stronger track record at the dish makes him the superior fantasy option.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Allen - Will platoon at shortstop Athletics manager Mark Kotsay announced that Allen will form the short side of a platoon at shortstop with Aledmys Diaz to begin the season, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chro...

Impact Allen will be in the lineup against left-handed pitching, while Diaz will see the bulk of the playing time against righties. Though he's enjoyed a solid spring training with a .310/.432/.448 slash line over 13 games, Allen posted a meager .547 OPS in his 326 plate appearances with Oakland in 2022. Allen's plus defense gives him a chance to be a strong option up the middle, but he may not present enough upside at the plate to emerge as a major fantasy contributor.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Adam Oller - Battling vertigo Oller was supposed to pitch Saturday against the Brewers but was held out due to vertigo, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact The timing of the issue means that Oller is potentially at risk for a trip to the injured list if it persists, but if he gets back on the mound in the next few days, he should be fine. He's recorded a 3.68 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 14.2 innings this spring.

MARCH 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ken Waldichuk - Rotation spot secure Waldichuk will open the year in the Oakland rotation, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Waldichuk has struggled significantly this spring, recording a 9.58 ERA and 2.23 WHIP while walking more batters (eight) than he's struck out (seven). That's something to keep in mind should those struggles continue into the regular season, but for now, Waldichuk's job isn't at risk.

MARCH 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shintaro Fujinami - Set to start every Saturday Fujinami will start once a week on Saturday's to open the season, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Previous reports indicated that Fujinami would start every six days, meaning they could use a five-man rotation in weeks when they have an off day. The decision to lock Fujinami into a once-a-week role to ease his transition from Japan means the Athletics may be forced to turn to six starters on a regular basis, though the team has yet to clarify its full plans. Assuming he does indeed exclusively pitch on Saturday's, Fujinami's first three outings will be home against the Angels, away against the Rays and home against the Mets.

MARCH 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Report: A's sign reliever Jeurys Familia The Oakland Athletics and free-agent reliever Jeurys Familia agreed to a major league contract on Saturday, per a report.

MARCH 25, 2023 • SACBEE.COM

Jeurys Familia - Signs with Oakland Familia signed with the Athletics on Saturday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact Familia was released by the Diamondbacks on Friday despite allowing just one run on four hits in 6.2 innings of work this spring. He's found himself a new home just one day later, joining a bullpen in which any competent reliever seemingly has a shot at saves. Familia has 125 career saves to his name, but just one of those has come in the last four seasons. He owns a 4.96 ERA over those four years and slipped all the way to a 6.09 ERA last season, so he'll need a bounce-back season to deserve high-leverage consideration even in Oakland.

MARCH 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Speedster Ruiz nabs Opening Day roster spot MESA, Ariz. -- The A’s do not expect to know the full makeup of their outfield until next week. However it shakes out, manager Mark Kotsay m...

MARCH 25, 2023 • MLB.COM

MLB Opening Day starters 2023: Ranking all 15 pitching matchups, from Max Scherzer vs. Sandy Alcantara to Shohei Ohtani vs. Kyle Muller MLB Opening Day has some boom -- and bust -- pitching matchups.

MARCH 24, 2023 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

MLB Opening Day starters 2023: Ranking all 15 pitching matchups, from Max Scherzer vs. Sandy Alcantara to Shohei Ohtani vs. Kyle Muller MLB Opening Day has some boom -- and bust -- pitching matchups.

MARCH 24, 2023 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Esteury Ruiz - Lands spot on Opening Day roster Oakland manager Mark Kotsay said Ruiz will make the team's Opening Day roster, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact After being traded from Milwaukee to Oakland over the offseason, Ruiz will officially get another chance to contribute in the majors. The 24-year-old outfield prospect recorded just a .452 OPS for the Brewers last season, but he has demonstrated a knack for stealing bases at high volume. It is still uncertain whether Ruiz or Cristian Pache will get the nod as the A's starting center fielder.

MARCH 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

AL West Preview: Can Ohtani, Angels unseat the Astros?

This could be the last time for Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout to play together with a chance to lead the Los Angeles Angels back to the playoffs

MARCH 24, 2023 • Associated Press

Kyle Muller - Named Opening Day starter Muller has been named the Athletics' Opening Day starter for their March 30 matchup against the Angels, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact It wasn't even a sure thing Muller was locked into a rotation spot prior to this announcement, but the A's don't exactly have any good options for the assignment. The left-hander has been hit and miss this spring, posting a 5.65 ERA and 10:3 K:BB over 14.1 innings of work. Muller has some fantasy potential but should probably be viewed as a streaming option initially.

MARCH 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Q&A with A's farm director Ed Sprague: 'We're in a better place' Sprague discusses how many top A's prospects are lining up as the start of the regular season draws near.

MARCH 24, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

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Anthony Volpe wins Yankees' opening day shortstop job

AL West Preview: Can Ohtani, Angels unseat the Astros?

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Anthony Volpe wins Yankees' opening day shortstop job

AL West Preview: Can Ohtani, Angels unseat the Astros?